DC United Looking to Texas for Results
DC United heads to San Antonio for their final tune up before the Champions Cup. read more...
DC United Looking to Texas for Results
Mike Martin
March 02, 2008
Marcelo Gallardo
Photo: Martin Fernandez
DC United heads San Antonio this week to participate in the Texas Pro Soccer Festival, and given the way United’s pre-season has unfolded, this tiny little tournament becomes United’s last chance to notch some wins and finalize their system heading into the Concacaf Cup next week.
Washington, D.C.
By all accounts, DC United has been ignoring results and focusing on fitness and integrating new players at the expense of winning so far this pre-season, and while that’s lovely in theory, at some point the team has got to start winning to show that all their sacrifices have been worth it.
Not only that, but winning begets more winning and United might well be in need of a little confidence boost considering the struggles they’ve had so far. Despite all their apparent unconcern, the bottom line is that it’s been over a month since DC United posted it’s only victory of the pre-season, and that was merely a trouncing of some promising 16 year olds. Not all that much to really hang your hat on to be sure.
Now, considering their first real game in anger is barely a week away on a cow pasture down in Jamaica, in front of a hostile crowd and against an athletic and unpredictable team, a little good old fashioned butt-kicking down in Texas this week would go a long way to establishing that winning mindset, not to mention bringing some worried fans back down off a ledge.
Devon McTavish said as much this past week. “It’s no secret we’ve been struggling a bit [to score]. We need to start getting results. Start getting shutouts. The Jamaica game is only a week away and we’ll be playing for real then. We have to be ready for that atmosphere, on that field. We need to start getting results in this tournament so we have that success to build on for the beginning of the season.”
However, simply focusing on results could be a bit dicey as this tournament will also be crucial in deciding how the team will finalize their system and their roster. Soehn made it clear that the team is only recently emphasizing tactics and on top of that, they have some absolute dogfights going on to sort out who will take the final roster spots.
When asked about the goals for the team in this tournament, Mark Simpson talked about how these games will be important for a lot of reasons as the pre-season is rapidly slipping away.
“We’re entering the last stretch. We’re looking for quality competition [to measure ourselves against]. Looking to start to kind of formulate just how we’re playing. Making some final decisions on players. Get a core together and we’re looking forward to getting some results and getting match fit for Concacaf and the start of the season.”
Echoing that sentiment, Coach Tommy Soehn added a cautionary observation that “for me it’s still not about going there [just] to win. I think we’re looking to make sure we progress from the last camp fitness wise and tactically. As far as the team, how we are going to play together. How we play with some new guys. Our understanding of how we play within the system. We want to see that build and hopefully that continues to build through the games down there too. But our focus is still on Jamaica. Making sure we’re at a level where we can be successful there.”
Presumably a big part of United’s fortunes in Jamaica and indeed this season will ride on the play of designated player, Marcelo Gallardo, who has been kept eerily quiet so far this pre-season, despite flashes of absolute brilliance and his unquestioned skill and pedigree. The Argentine international playmaker was brought in to much fanfare and surely is expected to have a huge impact in big games, but he has yet to show up on the score sheet despite being in camp and on the field for a good chunk of minutes in virtually all of United’s matches to date.
Yet, Soehn downplayed any concerns about Gallardo, by mentioning he’s adjusting to MLS just fine, and that it’s not just his individual efforts that are important, but figuring out the best way to integrate his style into the system United wants to play that is the most important thing.
“He’s getting better and better and I think we’re starting to understand the positions he gets into and how to find him quicker and how to run off him. But that comes over time. I think he’s been able to adjust to the physical aspect of the game. His conditioning is better and the tactical aspects are better. We’re still trying to learn the gaps he likes to play into and when to make those runs. But that comes as we continue to play more and more. I’m starting to see better signs all the way around.”
Another thing to think about is that the majority of United’s offensive players are veterans who know that you don’t use yourself up in nothing games before the season even starts. Gallardo has played on the world stage, Moreno is the best forward in league history, Emilio is the defending MVP and scoring champion, Fred has proven himself already too. It would be understandable if they aren’t getting all lathered up to win some scrimmages in February.
However, it’s March and there are big games right around the corner, so there’s no escaping the fact that this tournament might turn out to be a lot more crucial than maybe it was originally expected to be. Not only will United be expecting to post some wins, but also finalizing a core group of starters, and the system they will play, and yet still finding time for the players at the bottom of the roster to get enough time to show whether or not they have what it takes to make the team.
The format of this tournament could very well play into all of those things as it will be three matches in five days starting with ChivasUSA on Wednesday, Toronto FC on Friday, and finishing with Houston on Sunday afternoon. Winner of the tournament will be decided on best record, with goal differential, and then goals scored being the tie breakers.
It would seem very likely that Soehn will trot out his expected starters and go full bore, with few if any substitutions, in that first game against Chivas, who finished second to United for the Supporter’s Shield last season. Preki will no doubt have that team prepared and they return pretty much the same core group with the additions of veteran Swiss midfielder Raphael Wicky and former United forward Alecko Eskandarian.
United’s results in that scenario would be a very good indicator of exactly where the team stands at this point in time, and give a good indication of strengths and weaknesses of the starters and the system going forward.
Then in the second game against the dreadful Toronto FC, United could essentially start the entire bottom of the roster with an eye on making final decisions on bubble players. It wouldn’t be tanking that game either, as TFC has a ridiculously thin roster and will be playing scrubs for sure in their second game. Besides, no matter who Toronto trots out there, the goal would be to see what United players will make a difference when the pressure is on and earn those last roster slots.
The final game against the defending MLS Cup Champion Dynamo will depend on the results up to that point. If United’s starters and system worked well in the first game, then they play a half to get sharp for the trip to Jamaica a day later, and the reserve players get some time against an elite team in MLS. If the starters played badly against Chivas, then adjust the combinations and system and go full bore again to see if that solves the problems. Either way, Houston is about as good as it gets in terms of measuring yourself in MLS, so that works out well.
Still there’s no getting around the 800 pound gorilla in the room. No matter what the situation or the scenario, United simply has to start scoring goals and start winning some games because nothing builds confidence and snowballs into repeated success like finding ways to win when the pressure is on. I think the pressure will be on in this tournament. However, to a man, the team seems completely confident that as the importance of the games rise, so will the fortunes of the team.
Once again, Rod Dyachenko gets the last word on the subject as I think he captured the mood of the team to this point. “We’re just tired of training, we’re just looking forward to getting out there and kicking some butts.”
Visitor Comments
That Rod's atitude is contagious and that all of the guys are ready to kick some butts.
I'm like him - Can't wait for the season to start!!!
Thanks for another gret article Mike...
Yeah, nice attitude, but a talk is one thing. Scoring some goals and winning games is another! Go DC!
Mike,
I'm right with you. Its all well to go with the "Happy Talk" early in the pre season, but we are rapidly moving past that point.
Bottom line we are just not seeing what should be a formidable scoring machine coming together.
Instead the silence is deafening....
Yes, the lack of success is a bit worrisome, but honestly, I just can't see this team not being successful in MLS at the very least. The talent they have is staggering. Seems like it may not gel as quickly as most had hoped, but I think it will come together in a big way when it does.
I don;t think I'm as worried as you all are about the lack of scoring; I'm with the staff in that "it will come" we have yet to play a "competitive" game this year and I'm certain the team hasn;t gone at full thorttle just yet.
The real test wil be this coming week against Harbour view and then a few weeks later in MLS play. Last season the team had a poor start and finished strong - let's just give them the benefit of the doubt at least until the MLS season gets really started.
Also See
Quaranta Back With United - Last Chance?
DC United’s Goals are to Score Some
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The Current State of United
July 30, 2008
Riding Out the Perfect Storm
May 19, 2008
Soehn Still Seeking Solutions, But Needs to Look in the Mirror
May 10, 2008
DC United Seeks Solutions for Slow Start
April 24, 2008
Los Tuzos and Ticos School MLS in Concacaf
April 03, 2008
2008 Eastern Conference Preview
March 26, 2008
2008 Western Conference Preview
March 24, 2008
Coming Together the United Way
March 07, 2008
DC United’s Goals are to Score Some
February 29, 2008
DC United and Poplar Point
February 18, 2008
Gomez Gone for Good
February 09, 2008
DC United: Excitement is Building for 2008
January 29, 2008
DC United Signs Gonzalo Martinez
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